<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
AUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND THE AUDITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           7,749
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,023
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,086)
<INVENTORY>                                      1,790
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                55,425
<PP&E>                                         922,721
<DEPRECIATION>                               (250,856)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 733,613
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           51,085
<BONDS>                                        343,907
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           278
<OTHER-SE>                                     263,415
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   733,613
<SALES>                                        185,558
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               189,505
<CGS>                                           44,615
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  158,005
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              26,822
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,500
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,398
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,102
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,102
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .76